Reiki was the name given to a wonderful form of channeled spiritual healing which was re-discovered in the 1920s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist scholar. He created the Usui System of Reiki healing which is simply named ‘Reiki’ today. The word Reiki is a Japanese word and has two syllables; ‘Rei’ which means ‘God-guided and universal’, and ‘Ki’ which means life force energy. So ‘Reiki’ therefore means ‘God-guided, universal life-force energy.

The principle is that life force energy circulates through, in, and around anything that is alive. It nourishes the cells and organs of the body and every other aspect of our systems. When it flows well, the body remains healthy and vital. When the flow is disrupted in some way, health and vitality can diminish, and if untreated can cause illness or dis-ease!
Reiki energy promotes balance on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. As it flows through us, our affected parts become charged with life force again. This helps to clear anything that is caught up within the recipient and it opens pathways so the life force energy will flow freely. Healing normally accompanies this process and the whole person is affected by the Reiki healing process. This is the true meaning of holistic healing.

Because it is guided by a Divine process or God-Consciousness, Reiki only does good. The Reiki energy will go wherever it is needed in the body and the energy will do what is necessary to heal, correct and balance the recipient.
Reiki is a very powerful yet simple form of healing and it has contributed well in helping to deal with many different health issues, conditions, and illnesses, and they include mild to serious conditions associated with the mind, body, spirit, emotions, thoughts, and day-to-day life. The recipient regains harmony and wholeness, and it leaves them feeling peaceful and centered.

An important characteristic of Reiki is that it benefits both the practitioner and the recipient. The practitioner stays well-energized during the healing process and is also healed during the process.
Whatever the immediate target of a Reiki session, the recipient may experience reactions and changes in any area of his or her own process and life. The healing will continue for a number of days after the treatment.

Reiki can also help to raise consciousness and promote spiritual awakening in meditative and spiritual practices.

The healer acts as a conduit for the Reiki spiritual healing energy both through hands-on healing and also during distant healing when the recipient is not physically present. Both methods are equally effective as time and distance is no barrier for the Reiki energy to flow.

This is also very much applicable when teaching Reiki either when the students are present or at a distance.

Reiki can also be used in combination with Western medicine as well as with other holistic treatments and therapies.